Abington Deputy Fire Chief continues the climb for a good cause

The American Lung Association will host the 13th Annual Fight For Air Climb Boston: Race Up Boston Place, presented by Boston Private on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

By Michele Christian

When Abington Fire Deputy Chief Ron Howe turned 50, he was asked by a couple of younger colleagues to participate in the American Lung Association’s annual Fight For Air Climb Boston. Wanting to set a good example, Howe couldn’t say no.

Now seven years later, Howe still continues to make the climb.

This Saturday, Feb. 3 at One Boston Place, Howe and fellow firefighter, Derek Haimaidi, will make the trek from the ground floor up 41 flights of stairs (789 steps total) in full firefighting gear.

“We’ll be in full gear - coat, helmet, boots, pants and the air pack for breathing,” said Howe, who also noted the gear weighs approximately 53 pounds.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.

According to its website: the “Fight For Air Climb” is an American Lung Association signature fundraising event. Climbs are held in prominent skyscrapers, giving participants the opportunity to join together with friends, family and co-workers as they climb the stairs of the building to the top. Over the last several years, the “Fight For Air Climbs” have raised more than $45 million to support the mission of the American Lung Association.

“In addition to the firefighters division, there are a lot corporate and local teams that get together and run up in shorts and gym shoes,” said Howe. “I usually raise anywhere from $500 to $1,000.”

This event proves to be a physical challenge each year for Howe, who has successfully improved his time over the years.

“For the first three years, I basically just tried to survive it,” he said. “By the third year, I started working out and now I try to beat the time every year.

Howe said he has successfully shaved 10 minutes off from his original finish time.

“This year, working out with the climber at the gym, I’ve been getting a time of 12:30 minutes, which is a minute and a half off my time from last year.

“I think this is a good thing to do as it raises awareness for people with lung problems, breathing problems and people trying to quit smoking,” said Howe, a former smoker himself.

“If I was still smoking I would never be able to do this, and it promotes better fitness,” he said.

For more information or to donate to this year’s “Fight For Air Climb” visit http://action.lung.org/site/TR/Climb/. Click on donate and type in Abington Firefighters.